👋 Hey, Tony here…
Ever wonder what an air handler actually does—or how it’s different from a furnace?
If you’ve seen systems like the Goodman 5 Ton 14.3 SEER2 R-32 model, you may notice it comes with an air handler, not a furnace.
Let me break it down for you in plain English—backed with some real sources too.
🏗️ What Is an Air Handler?
An air handler is a large metal box that contains:
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A blower motor
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An evaporator coil (for AC)
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Sometimes electric heat strips (for basic heating)
It doesn’t generate heat with gas like a furnace. Instead, it moves air throughout your home. Think of it as your HVAC system’s “lungs.”
🔌 Air handlers are mostly used in homes with heat pumps or electric-only heating systems.
🧾 Reference:
Carrier – What Is an Air Handler?
Carrier explains the function, components, and benefits of air handlers for electric HVAC systems.
🔥 What Is a Furnace?
A furnace uses natural gas, propane, or oil to produce heat. It contains:
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A burner
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A heat exchanger
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A blower fan
The blower pushes warm air through your ducts. Furnaces are popular in colder climates because they provide strong, fast heating.
🧾 Reference:
U.S. Department of Energy – Furnaces
Official guide to furnace types, fuel sources, and efficiency tips.
🆚 Key Differences: Air Handler vs. Furnace
| Feature | Air Handler | Furnace |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Source | Electricity | Gas, propane, or oil |
| Can cool? | ✅ Yes (with AC or heat pump) | ❌ No (requires separate AC) |
| Heating method | Electric resistance or heat pump | Combustion (gas/oil) |
| Regions used | Warm/moderate climates | Cold climates |
| Maintenance cost | Lower (no combustion) | Higher (due to burner maintenance) |
🧾 Reference:
Trane – Difference Between Air Handler and Furnace
A side-by-side breakdown from one of the most trusted HVAC manufacturers.
🌍 Which One’s Right for Your Home?
Choose an air handler if:
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You live in a warm or moderate climate
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You use a heat pump system
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Your home is electric-only (no gas line)
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You want simplified, all-in-one HVAC (like Goodman’s AC + air handler packages)
Choose a furnace if:
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You live in a cold climate
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You have access to natural gas or propane
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You want powerful heating capacity for winter months
🧾 Reference:
HVAC.com – Air Handler vs. Furnace: Which Is Better?
This article explains the climate-based decision-making process between air handlers and furnaces.
🧰 Tony’s Bottom Line
“Both systems do the job. The key is picking the right setup for your home’s fuel source, climate, and layout.”
The Goodman SEER2 system with air handler is a solid choice for electric-only homes that need cooling and basic heating—especially in the South or Southwest.
🧭 Final Word
Air handlers and furnaces both deliver comfort—but in totally different ways.
The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone.
📞 Reach out to The Furnace Outlet or talk to me—Tony—and we’ll help you match the right unit to your setup.
In the next topic you will read about: Goodman HVAC: Brand Review & Warranty Insights. Is Goodman the real deal—or just a budget buy? Tony gives it to you straight.
